KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE - KIRKWOOD REGIONAL CENTER AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Laboratory Science Academy
College Credit in High School
Find your passion.
Get a head start.
Experience college with rock star
teachers.
Earn FREE college credit.
Experience
Unique, hands-on learning
experience designed to provide
students with the knowledge,
skills and motivation to be
successful in science majors.
Learn about 21st century careers
in biotechnology and other
related science professions by
people currently working in the
field.
Outcome
Students will be proficient in
performing and using common
procedures and processes used
in laboratory environments. They
will gain awareness of many
aspects related to working in a
lab, including career
opportunities. More specific
attributes include: understanding
how business works, the
importance of foundational math
knowledge, computer and
software proficiency, and the
regulations and guidelines
necessary to ensure safe and
effective products.
Career Focus
Become better prepared and
informed about a wide-variety of
college majors focusing on
biology and related science
fields. Build professional
networking relationships.
College Credits Earned: 13
Laboratory sciences are essential to the health and vitality of our society. The knowledge and workforce in this
field of study touch our lives in many ways. They include jobs necessary for ensuring public health, production of
medicines, improving agriculture, and the creation of products we use on a daily basis.
The Laboratory Science Academy is designed to give students a strong educational foundation to build upon for
further success in science related degrees. The sequence of courses is designed to allow students to choose a
number of pathways that include Associate and Bachelor degrees. Examples of college majors include, but are
not limited to: Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences,
Microbiology, and more. If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university after attending
Kirkwood Community College, specific transfer information can be found at www.kirkwood.edu/fouryeartransfer.
This Career Academy is also uniquely designed to expose students to a wide variety of employment opportunities
available to them in sciences that go beyond the typical professional jobs like medical doctors and physical
therapists.
Average Iowa Salaries in Laboratory Science Careers
Food Scientist and Technologists: $30.58 hour/$63,620
Animal Scientist: $33.26 hour/$69,190
Biological Scientist: $28.34 hour/$58,940
Biological Technician: $18.99 hour/$39,500
Forensic Science Technician: $30.42 hour/$63,270
More info can be found at: www.bls.gov
College Credit Courses
Courses subject to change based on college curriculum. (Offered AM or PM)
FALL
BIO-190 | Introductory Biotechnology | 3 College Credits
Explores biotechnology and its impact on science and society. Includes basic biological principles, biotech product
development, agricultural and medical applications of biotechnology and potential careers. Intended for Liberal
Arts students interested in biotechnology and those interested in the Biotechnology AAS degree.
BIO-450 | Basic Bioinformatics | 3 College Credits
Introduces bioinformatics (using computer technology in the laboratory) concepts and practice. Includes biological
databases, sequence alignment, gene and protein structure prediction, molecular phylogenetics, genomics and
proteomics. Emphasizes practical experience with bioinformatics tools, development of basic skills in the
collection and presentation of bioinformatics data, as well as basic programming in a scripting language.
BIO-249 | Biotechnology Internship | 1 College Credits
Provides practical experience in the field of biotechnology. Students are given the opportunity to acquire
work-related skills through a cooperative effort with local biotechnology companies.
SPRING
BIO-400 | Lab Methodology | 3 College Credits
Emphasizes basic laboratory techniques commonly used in the biotechnology field. Includes properly collecting data, making laboratory
measurements, preparing solutions and using laboratory instruments. Covers quality control and assurance, and biosafety issues such as blood borne
pathogen training and interpretation of MSDS literature. Lab included.
PHI-105 | Introduction to Ethics (Science Focused) | 3 College Credits
Investigates major issues and theories in Western or non-Western moral thought. The adequacies of ethical theories such as egoism, utilitarianism,
virtue ethics, the ethics of care, and duty ethics are explored through discussions of topics such as those found in science and medicine.
Need to Know
The sequence of courses in this Career Academy are designed to supplement the high school curriculum. Therefore, these Career Academy courses should not
be taken in lieu of other Science and Math courses taught in the high school. Success in Science is dependent on a variety of factors, among them is exposure
to a variety of Science courses.
Students will need to have successfully completed high school Biology and should have completed high school Chemistry or be enrolled in Chemistry before
beginning this Career Academy.
How to Get Started
Talk to your parents and your Guidance Counselor.